A Wild Ride (Thompson & Sons Book 4) (23 page)

Nicole wiggled until she was kneeling on the seat, reaching up to cup his face in her palms. “What do you want, Troy? What is going to make
your
colour shine through instead of reflecting everyone else’s?”

“Why is this so important, as weirdly fascinating as it is to talk about rainbows?”

She took her future happiness up with both hands and laid it out before him.

“Because, while you’re exactly who I need in my life, am
I
who you need?” Nicole lowered her voice, forcing the words out past a throat gone tight. “I don’t want you to settle for anything other than what’s best for
you
. It’s too important. So I need to know—what do you really want, Troy?”

It took a second before understanding cleared his eyes. And then she couldn’t see his expression because he’d hauled her into his lap and was kissing her senseless.

A possessive grip took hold of the back of her neck as he kept their lips in firm contact. Another hand dropped to her lower back, pressing their torsos together as she settled into his lap. It wasn’t quite the answer she’d expected, but it was definitive and nothing she was about to argue with.

Although it did make it difficult for her to tell him she loved him when they had their tongues in each other’s mouths.

Troy Thompson held on tight as the most frickin’ amazing miracle occurred. Everything he wanted was right there in his lap. She’d damn near broken him in two with her honesty and the fear he’d seen on her face. Worried that he’d reject her—

Bullshit on that. How could he survive without his heart?

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

For the second time that night, he nearly jumped out of his skin at the clatter of knuckles on the window only inches from his ear.

He didn’t think they’d been kissing that long, but the windows were steamed up, fuzzing the bright light shining in his eyes. Nicole scrambled off his lap and back into the driver’s seat as Troy cursed and hit the window control, rolling it partway down.

“Oh,
hell
.” A familiar female voice.

Troy blinked hard, holding up a hand to block the light. “
Anna?
”

His sister-in-law swung the flashlight away, bending over to lean on the window ledge and peek into the truck. “What is it with you, Troy Thompson? Didn’t get parking out of your system back when you were fifteen?”

“I promise he’s here of his own free will, Officer,” Nicole said clearly, drawing Anna’s attention. “I won’t use the ropes in the back until we get home.

Anna shook her head, stifling her laughter. “I swear I should get danger pay for having to deal nonstop with
both
the Thompson and Coleman clans. You two okay?”

“I was better a few minutes ago before you interrupted us,” Troy grumbled.

Nicole elbowed him in the side as she leaned across and smiled sweetly at Anna. “Is this when you suggest we find somewhere else to fool around?”

“Please. Since you
both
have homes to go to.”

“You don’t need to sound so smug,” Troy said.

“Yes, I do. It’s in my job description.” Anna leaned down once more and spoke over Troy. “Hey, Nic. Will I see you later this week at the Thompson family dinner?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Nicole promised. “Janey said you’re bringing dessert?”

“S’mores. About the extent of my baking skills.”

Troy fought to keep from laughing as the girls kept chatting.

“Never mind me,” he muttered. “I’ll just sit here and listen to my sister-in-law the cop and my girlfriend discuss next week’s dinner while everyone around us wonders what we’re getting arrested for.”

“
Shhhh
,” Anna and Nicole ordered at the same time, and Troy lost it, laughing out loud as he pushed open his door and strolled around to the driver’s side.

Nic slid over, and by the time he got behind the wheel, the girls were done their conversation, waving goodbye as he backed the truck out carefully. He waggled his fingers at Anna then headed toward Rocky.

He and Nic sat in muted silence for all of thirty seconds before she laughed. Low at first, growing stronger. Addictive. Contagious. Troy caved and joined in. He had to pull over to the side of the road to avoid going into the ditch.

“Oh my God, I can’t breathe,” Nic gasped.

“Can’t see. Stop it,” Troy demanded, wiping at his eyes, which just set her off harder.

It took a while for them to calm down to the point he could suck in a lungful of air and put the truck back in drive. They both trembled on the edge of going off all over again, and he stared determinedly at the road until temptation passed.

“My face hurts from smiling,” Nic boasted when he pulled into the parking space behind her house.

He flashed another grin her way then met her on the path, linking their fingers together and kissing her knuckles. “Now. Where were we before we were so
rudely
interrupted?”

Nic twisted on the spot, walking backward as she led him to the house and up the steps. “You were about to let me have my wicked way with you.”

“Perfect. You should get naked and do that.”

“Yes, sir.”

She stripped off her shirt and let it fall. It pooled into a bright blue puddle on the top step of stairs, and she stood there in the fading twilight, smooth skin glowing in the faint echo of streetlights reaching the backyard.

“Babe, you’re beautiful.”

Her eyes flashed, sexual hunger and something
else
slamming into him as she blew him a kiss.

She crooked a finger. “Follow me…”

He moved slowly, letting her get ahead of him as the striptease continued. Through the living room and down the hall…

Pants abandoned by the recliner.

Her lacey bra hooked precariously on the edge of a picture frame.

Barely-there panties dangled from the doorknob of her bedroom.

Troy pushed open the door all the way, standing in the doorway to take in the view.

Nic was in the process of crawling onto the bed, her naked ass toward him…

…Wonder Woman socks on her feet.

So fucking perfect.

She rolled, propping herself against the pillows as he closed the distance between them to stand beside the mattress, gazing down to enjoy every exposed inch.

Nic smiled as she reached for her socks.

“Leave them on,” he ordered.

“Kinky.” She put her hands on her shins and dragged them up her body until she was stretched out before him.

“Anything we want. If it makes us happy, it’s a go.” Troy stripped off his shirt, tossing it aside before popping open the button on his jeans and partially opening his zipper. Just to relieve the damn pressure before the top of his head blew skyward.

“You make me happy,” Nic whispered. “You’re perfect for me.”

Her gaze slipped over him, hot and needy. Pride trickled up his spine. This woman had picked him as who she wanted. He needed her to know he’d damn well picked her as well.

Now and forever.

For
everything
. Every fucking thing she’d dreamed of, and a whole lot they’d never even thought of yet.

He paused and considered. It needed to be said clearly, so she’d never have any doubts. “I want
you
. Fine, I’m a fucking rainbow. It’s how I show love, and I’ll probably keep being one because that’s who I am. But even rainbows need the sunshine to bring out their magic, and that’s you, baby. You’re the one who makes me shine.”

Her eyes—so amazing. Fixed on him, full of fire and emotion.

“I don’t want you to have to pick between me and your family,” he admitted. The last barrier standing.

She shook her head. “I won’t have to. But Troy? If I
did
have to pick?” She knelt forward so she could touch him, laying her hand on his chest, directly over his heart. Her voice soft and sincere. “It’s not even a question. I’d pick you. Every time.”

Joy swelled inside him. He leaned forward, crawling over her as Nicole settled against the mattress. Lips connecting, his torso pressed to hers. Slow languid kisses as if they had all night. All week…

A lifetime.

She murmured something against his lips, rolling them to the side as her hands pressed at his jeans. He helped her take them off, digging into the back pocket for the condom he’d put there before she tossed the fabric to the floor.

Then he pulled her back into his arms. Touching and caressing. Hands on her breasts, lifting them to his mouth. Licking and sucking until she squirmed under him.

He slid a hand over her torso until he reached her sex, cupping her possessively.

Troy pulled back just far enough to look into her green eyes. “Feel. Feel me loving you.”

He pressed a single finger between her folds and stroked. Teasing her clit in circles as he stared into her face and watched pleasure sweep in. She curled a hand behind his neck, panting as she grew closer to the edge. Holding on tight as he took her higher.

Her lashes fluttered closed as she breathed out his name, and he rolled between her thighs, pressing his cock into her still-pulsing body. Liquid heat surrounded him, pleasure streaking up his spine like a lightning bolt as she widened her legs and welcomed him in.

Buried to the hilt, Troy steadied his breathing, braced over her on his elbows. Nicole wrapped her legs around him, the socks digging into his butt making them both smile.

“I love you,” he said softly.

Her eyes widened.

“I love
you
,” he tried again before she could speak, louder this time. “I. Fucking.
Love
. You.”

He punctuated every word with a kiss on her smiling lips.

“I love you too. I think I always have.” Nicole dragged her fingers over his shoulders, scratching lightly. “Love me now?”

“Now and always,” he promised, rocking forward. Slowly, over and over again.

It seemed as if there’d always been an element of desperation to sex before—as if they’d been trying to get in as much pleasure as possible before it all vanished.

Now he knew they had forever. She wasn’t going to vanish. She wasn’t going to leave him for someone else, and this time their lovemaking seemed deeper. More intimate.

Even as he picked up the pace, sinking into her harder, she held him tenderly and stared at him with love in her eyes.

He reached between their bodies and touched her clit, stroking on every thrust as moans of desire escaped them, unstoppable.

Pleasure struck between one breath and the next.

“
Troy
…”

Nic thrashed beneath him, her legs a vice holding him in place as her body squeezed his cock. He angled his hips to go as deep as possible as he lost control and gave in to the ecstasy driving through him.

“Hell,
yes
.” She sighed deeply and collapsed into a boneless mass under him.

He chuckled, rolling to the side and pulling her tight against him.

For a split second, fear that he’d disappoint her at some point in the future snuck in, but he banished the negative thoughts. She knew him—she loved
him
. Imperfect as he was.

No matter what it took, he was going to make sure she never regretted picking him.

He nuzzled against her throat and said it all over. “I love you.”

She answered with a kiss and a slow, wicked caress that sent his blood racing again. “Of course you do,” she said, squeezing his butt again. “We need some naked talk time. Here, or in the shower?”

Troy outright laughed, picking her up and rolling to his feet. “I pick the kitchen.”

“Oh, now we’re getting kinky.” Nic clutched his neck and grinned as he carried her down the hallway. “I guess you never did get to do me on the dining room table.”

Fuck. His body was halfway back to loaded already.

“You really are perfect for me,” he said as he lowered her to the sturdy table and started all over again.

Troy
: got a surprise 4 you

Nic
: a nice surprise? ;)

Troy
: dirty girl. I always have nice things for you

Nic
: tell me!!!!

Troy
: nope

Nic
: spill. Don’t make me hurt you

Troy
: meet me @ Traders @ 7

Nic
: K

Troy
: parking lot

Nic
: ?????

Troy:
you’re gonna <# this

Nic
: lol! LICK

Troy:
lmao I meant <3

Nic
: it’s ice cream!

Troy
: it’s perfect, just like you

Nic: awww.
Tell me!!!!!

Troy
: nope

Troy
: have to wait

Troy
: <#

That was all she got, but it was enough to have her smiling in anticipation.

Two weeks since they’d spent far more than seven minutes in heaven, and she still grinned every time that night replayed in her mind. Which it did regularly, much to everyone in her vicinity’s chagrin.

They were waiting for Mike to find a new roommate or a smaller apartment, but plans for moving in together were in motion.
Life
was in motion—they were taking the next steps. Together.